In ‘Sister Europe,' witty conversation is action enough
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
23-07-2025
- Miami Herald
Taco Bell brings back exclusive menu collaboration for a limited time
Taco Bell is revisiting a partnership that is nostalgic to the Mexican community, but the launch is unknown to many. Despite global economic uncertainty, slowing consumer spending, and rising competition within the fast-food industry, Taco Bell continues outperforming its rivals by prioritizing menu innovation, value-driven offerings, and strategic brand collaborations. In the first quarter of fiscal 2025, Taco Bell's U.S. sales surged 11% year-over-year, attesting to the success of its new strategy. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter A major contributor to this momentum was the Taco Bell Live Más Live Event in Las Vegas last year, where it unveiled over 30 new menu items and brand partnerships set to roll out across U.S. restaurants in 2025. Related: Taco Bell reveals new menu item with dream partner Over the last few months, Taco Bell has launched various new menu items in conjunction with major partners, including Dulce de Leche Cinnabon Delights with Cinnabon and Mike's Hot Honey Diablo Dipping Sauce. However, rival fast-food chains have adopted similar strategies to stay competitive. In such a competitive fast-food market, major chains have begun teaming up with popular brands to create limited-time collaborations. These strategic partnerships aim to boost sales and enhance brand visibility by introducing exclusive menu items that attract new customers while keeping loyal fans engaged. Merging well-known brand names allows both parties to stand out in a saturated market and generate buzz. Related: Taco Bell reveals 30 new menu items launching in 2025 However, launching collaborations can be expensive. Hence, some fast-food chains test these offerings in select markets before rolling them out nationwide. This allows them to gauge customer interest while minimizing risk. Recent examples include Wendy's (WEN) unveiling of the new "Wednesday Meal of Misfortune" in partnership with Netflix to promote "Wednesday" Season 2. Burger King (QSR) also expanded a collaboration with Naruto by launching the Burger King x Naruto King Jr. Meal in the U.S. Last year, Yum! Brands' (YUM) Taco Bell launched a limited-time menu with the popular Mexican seasoning brand Tajín, featuring a Tajín Crunchy Taco, Tajín Twists, and the Tajín Strawberry Freeze, which was only available at one Taco Bell location in Orange County, California. The Tajín menu was eventually discontinued. However, one item seemed to have caught consumers' attention because Taco Bell shared it is once again teaming up with Tajín to bring back the Tajín Crunchy Taco. More Food News: How Domino's new crust and deals revived its struggling businessStruggling restaurant chain makes major change to win back customersMcDonald's Snack Wrap causes alarming shortage This latest relaunch features a crunchy corn taco shell coated with Tajín Clásico seasoning, filled with seasoned ground beef, lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, ranch sauce, and mango pico de gallo salsa. If the shell's seasoning isn't enough, customers also receive an extra Tajín packet to sprinkle on the taco for additional flavor. The new Tajín Crunchy Taco is currently being tested for a limited time at select Taco Bell locations in Columbus, Ohio. However, if it performs well in test markets, it may be expanded nationwide. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Miami Herald
17-07-2025
- Miami Herald
Burger King menu brings unexpected international collaboration to US
American fast-food chains often seem to save the most exciting limited-time menu items for their international markets - often launching exotic desserts, crazy burgers, and unexpected partnerships in other countries. While factors out of their control may lead them to make these choices, it's hard not to wonder if U.S. consumers are being left out of all the fun releases on purpose. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Fast-food giants like McDonald's (MCD) , Burger King, and Starbucks (SBUX) frequently find themselves at the center of these speculations, which can lead to backlash from their own customers. Related: McDonald's puts popular Pokemon promotion back on the menu When Starbucks Japan gets a cool new seasonal Frappuccino, McDonald's Singapore unveils a new Crispy Mac 'N Cheesy Wrap, and Burger King releases an exciting collaboration anywhere but in the U.S., jealousy can get the best of anyone, prompting some of us to make one or two nasty comments on social media. Restaurant Brands International's (QSR) Burger King partnered with Naruto, the iconic manga series, to debut a limited-time menu collaboration in Brazil last December. This launch featured a King Jr. Meal with Naruto-themed toys, food, and packaging. It also consisted of four new items on the regular menu, including a shake, fries with toppings, a crispy chicken burger, and a new Whopper. The collaboration was so successful in the Brazilian market that Burger King released it in France only a month later. More Food News: This popular fast-food burger chain just turned into a hot dog standPopular chicken chain is begging customers to give it another chanceChick-fil-A offers free food to game-playing fans This second launch also featured a King Jr. Meal with Naruto-themed toys, food, and packaging. Additionally, Burger King x Naruto merchandise was released to make it unique for the French market. The partnership gained traction worldwide, especially across the U.S., with fans asking for the Naruto collaboration to be brought nationally. However, months flew by without updates, leaving American fans with little hope of its U.S. debut - until now. Burger King has unveiled that it will finally bring its Naruto collaboration to the U.S. on July 21, but it's being more cautious. This new national launch will be a King Jr. Meal with unique toys featuring the show's most iconic characters, including Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, Kakashi Hatake, Hinata Hyuga, Neji Hyuga, Rock Lee, and Gaara. However, this latest release is entirely different from its international launches because, as exciting as this is, no Naruto-themed food or beverage will be included. Related: Burger King menu goes big with new Whopper-style double burger Malaysia will simultaneously get its own Naruto King Jr. Meal, but Naruto-themed food and drinks will be included for this launch, as will new immersive fan experiences at select locations. Burger King has not revealed why the U.S. won't get Naruto-themed food or beverages, but there seems to be a pattern tied to this decision. Although Naruto has a global following, its biggest fan base is in Asia, which is fitting given its Japanese origins. The series is also very popular in Brazil and France and ranks as the top kids' show. The manga series has a solid U.S. following, as it has been translated into English to meet fans' demand. Still, its American fandom is much smaller than its Asian, European, and South American counterparts. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Newsweek
11-07-2025
- Newsweek
Burger King Launching New Whopper Based On Customer Requests
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Burger King announced the debut of its BBQ Brisket Whopper, the first menu item created through its newly launched "Whopper by You" platform. The platform, which will be available to customers across the United States starting next Tuesday, will allow guests to submit ideas for new Whopper sandwiches, directly influencing menu innovations. The BBQ Brisket Whopper—featuring slow-cooked BBQ brisket, crispy onions, American cheese, sweet and golden BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato, creamy mayo, and a flame-grilled quarter-pound beef patty—arrives as a response to customer requests and is also available in a Whopper Jr. version. Why It Matters The introduction of the "Whopper by You" platform marks a shift in how Burger King incorporates customer feedback into its core menu development. This new initiative builds on previous engagement strategies, such as the 'Million Dollar Whopper' competition, giving consumers a more active role in menu innovation. Burger King sign at the Westfield Confluence shopping center. Burger King sign at the Westfield Confluence shopping center. ALBIN BONNARD/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images What to Know Participants in the "Whopper by You" program can also access exclusive rewards, including special Royal Perks, which may feature offers like $0.01 Whoppers each week for a year or free sandwiches with purchase. A Royal Perks account is required, and participants must be 18 years or older. Burger King fans can submit their own Whopper ideas through the online platform at starting July 15. The BBQ Brisket Whopper, which will also be available as a Whopper Jr., will be at participating U.S. restaurants while supplies last. The new product launch and customization platform follow global localization efforts and reflect Burger King's intent to directly involve guests in its menu development process. In Japan, the fast food chain added a new localized item—the Spicy Whopper, featuring chili bean paste—to its menu on July 8. During the fast-food chain's first quarter earnings call this year, CEO Josh Kobza stressed Burger King's international growth. "We're in around 200 brand country combinations, and our top 10 markets are about 60% of our international system-wide sales. So a lot of different dynamics in each of those countries," Kobza said. "I think when you look at the Burger King brand in international, it's a bit different. It has some really great qualities that position it to grow so well. We've got a strong brand positioning. We've got modern restaurants in almost all of our markets. We have a lot more digital business as well." Moving forward, Kobza has said that Burger King's food will help streamline its global growth. "We have pretty great brand perception and really good food quality perception in those markets, where we balance some of our favorites like the Whopper with strong localization that each of our teams bring," Kobza said. Newsweek reached out to Burger King for comment via email. What People Are Saying Joel Yashinsky, Chief Marketing Officer at Burger King US&C, said in a statement: "As the brand known for 'Have It Your Way®,' we want to continue letting our Guests tell us what they want – and when it comes to our iconic Whopper sandwich, they have a lot of ideas. We're excited to kick off the 'Whopper by You' platform with the BBQ Brisket Whopper, a flavor profile that our Guests requested and we are very excited to answer with an overwhelming 'You Rule'!" What Happens Next The new BBQ Brisket Whopper and "Whopper By You" program launch next week. Burger King is also set to bring back its summer favorite, the Frozen Cotton Candy Cloud.
